Welcome to the beginning of a new quarter. Time has flown since the beginning of the pandemic, believe it or not this is the final quarter of the year! So, let’s make it your best quarter yet. I’m warning you now- you better prepare yourself… if you follow the below 6 tips you’ll blow your boss (and yourself) away.
Let’s get straight to it!
Tip #1: Goal Planning
If you really want to meet your KPI you can’t just dive in. You have to be strategic, without an efficient (and realistic) strategy in place you’ll find yourself prioritising tasks that aren’t of the highest value. Before you can begin making big moves you need to assess your current situation and figure out how to get from A to B (…or is it B to A?). You may want to ask yourself questions like this:
- Where am I at currently?
- What do I need to do to achieve x?
- What are my obstacles?
In order to create an efficient and effective strategy you need to ‘goal plan’. Create a list of tasks that must be completed in order to achieve your KPI, and prioritise them using a scale of 1 to 3 (1 being the highest priority).
Through prioritising, you will develop a greater understanding of the workload ahead, and will be able to dedicate the necessary amount of time to each task (which is determined based on their ‘value’).
Tip #2: Timeline
Now that you’ve created a strategy, and developed your goals, make a timeline!
Whilst some tasks may be of less value than others, they may need to be completed before you can effectively complete the higher valued tasks.
You must figure out when certain tasks need to be completed and write them out! Mark their due dates on a calendar, set reminders in your phone, put post-it notes on your walls and on the back of your bathroom door. Whatever it is you need to do, do it!
This will keep you on track of your activities. If you develop a successful strategy, and effectively plan out a realistic timeline where it can be achieved, there’s nothing you won’t be able to do!
Tip#3: Motivation
Three months seems like a long time, but it’s really not! I mean, seriously, how fast did this year go? It flew by! Time passes incredibly fast, especially as we grow older (but we won’t get into that today, but here’s a theory in case you’re interested).
With the strategy and timeline inplace, the next step is to keep motivated!
You need to motivate yourself. It’s not enough to know what you need to do, you also need to want to do it. Think about your end goal my friends! Remember what you want to achieve and the incentive that’s waiting for you at the end of the quarter.
Admittedly it’s hard to stay motivated at all times. Things will constantly pop up that will demand your attention and care… that’s just the way that life is! But those that are successful are the people that acknowledge this and still stay on track.
A little tip? Celebrate all wins, not just the big ones!
You’re working hard to achieve your goals, so every time you achieve one (regardless of the “value”) you must celebrate! Pat yourself on the back and buy yourself a donut. You deserve it!
This is where your goal planning (tip #2) comes into play: not only does it help you know what needs to get done, but it allows you to feel a sense of accomplishment every time you complete something.
If you don’t goal plan, and don’t put in place a timeline, your attention is divided and your thoughts are all over the place- meaning you won’t be celebrating when you deserve to be because you’re so caught up in what still needs to happen!
Work hard and reward yourself, it’s not only about the end goal – it’s also about the journey.
Tip #4: Reflection
Create a strategy, develop a plan, put in place a timeline, but also be realistic. Things don’t always go to plan. Sometimes things take longer than expected, or there’s unexpected hurdles along the way…and that’s fine! It’s not how many times you get knocked down, it’s how many times you get back up (a little bit of Rocky inspiration- you’re welcome).
Make sure you’re allowing time to honestly reflect on your working habits, achievements and strategy.
Ask yourself questions like:
- Am I doing everything I can?
- What’s distracting me at the moment?
- Since following my initial strategy, have I uncovered anything that may influence a different strategy?
Allow yourself to honestly reflect… you’re not proving anything to anyone but yourself. You ask the questions, and you provide the answers.
Ask yourself the hard questions, and use your own answers to determine whether or not there’s anything more you can do, or if any part of your plan needs to be altered. At the end of the day, you work hard for yourself- no one else!
Prove to yourself you can do it, because you can do it.
Tip #5: Resources
Part of your strategy should be to brainstorm how to implement efficiencies in your efforts. Do some research, have a think about what you may need to enhance your hard work and then source it!
Tools are made for a reason, they aid your work and take you further, quicker. There’s nothing wrong with using as many resources as you need…in fact, it’s encouraged! It’s a powerful combination; hard work and appropriate resources.
They work as a power couple and strengthen your efforts – so don’t be afraid to use what’s available to you and reap the benefits! Many others will be doing the same, don’t miss an opportunity to relieve some manual labour, extend your efforts and achieve your goals quicker. It’s all about making strategic decisions!
Tip #6: Balance
I know you’ve heard it over and over again, but it’s unquestionably the most important tip so I’m going to tell you again;
IT’S ALL ABOUT BALANCE!
Yes, throw yourself into your work. Yes, achieve your goals and work as hard as you can! Buuttt don’t forget there’s a world outside of your work. If you drown yourself in your work you’ll find yourself slowly starting to become unproductive and unmotivated (remember tip#3?!).
You have to make time for things you enjoy, things you love. Take care of your body and your mind. Go for walks, go to the gym, see your friends and family, watch your favourite TV show. Whatever it is that makes you happy, do it!
By balancing your work goals and life goals you’ll find yourself more centered, and more focused, which ultimately leads to better work and higher productivity.
If you follow these SIX TIPS, there’s nothing you won’t be able to achieve…whether it’s a work KPI or a life KPI. You determine your future and your outcome, make sure you know what you want and what you need to do, and then chase it!
Work smarter, and not harder.
Want to learn more about recruitment efficiencies? Let’s chat!
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